Towed underwater apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus adapted to be towed underwater, or located in a moving water current, wherein a desired depth may be maintained consisting of a vertically oriented support upon which at least two vanes are horizontally disposed. The vanes are provided with foils or curved plates for producing a negative lift, and are vertically related with respect to each other. For large lift applications the vanes are formed by a plurality of slats between which the water may flow to prevent flow separation. The vane supports are preferably in the form of planar plates which orient the direction of movement of the apparatus and provide longitudinal stability, and towing bridle means are associated with the apparatus, preferably including a planar plate mounted upon the vane slats.

United States Patent Michelsen [451 .Nov. 28, 1972 [54] TOWED UNDERWATER APPARATUS [72] Inventor: Finn C. Michelsen, 1902 Independence Boulevard, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48100 [22] Filed: Nov. 9, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 87,981

[52] US. Cl. ..114/235 B [51] Int. Cl. ..B63b 21/00 [58] Field of Search...l 14/235 A, 235 B, 209, 235 R, 1 14/126 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,524,863 10/1950 White ..1 14/235 B 2,403,036 7/1946 Wilcoxon et al. ..1 14/235 B FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 190,387 12/1922 Great Britain ..114/235 R Pnmary Examiner-Trygve M. Blix Attomey-Beaman & Beaman 7] ABSTRACT Apparatus adapted to be towed underwater, or located in a moving water current, wherein a desired depth may be maintained consisting of a vertically oriented support upon which at least two vanes are horizontally disposed. The vanes are provided with foils or curved plates for producing a negative lift, and are vertically related with respect to each other. For large lift applications the vanes are formed by a plurality of slats between which the water may flow to prevent flow separation. The vane supports are preferably in the form of planar plates which orient the direction of movement of the apparatus and provide longitudinal stability, and towing bridle means are associated with the apparatus, preferably including a planar plate mounted upon the vane slats.

12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED 28 I97? 3. 703, 876

sum 1 UF 2 FIG] INVENTOR FINN C. MICHELSEN A! TORNEYS PATENTED Nov 28 I972 SHEEI 2 OF 2 INVENTOR FINN c. MICHELSEN FIG. 7

ATTORNEYS TOWED UNDERWATER APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION hydrodynamic invention pertains to water kites, paravanes, and other types of underwater apparatus, usually towed, which utilizes vanes for producing a negative hydrodynamic4l lift wherein a desired depth and orientation within a body of water may be maintained for scientific, industrial, defense, or sports purposes.

Water kites and paravanes are usually towed from moving vessels and are widely used for marine, defense and geological survey purposes, often being employed to support temperature and pressure sensing instruments, magnetometers, or other devices capable of recording or transmitting information from an underwater location.

Water kites have been devised which are of a complex, expensive nature which are able to maneuver and be maintained at the desired depth. However, a need exists for a water kite which is capable of being orientated in a predetermined manner at a prescribed depth, and which is capable of operating at a distance only slightly behind the towing vessel, yet does not produce excessive flow problems and is capable of carrying or towing scientific, industrial or sporting apparatus in a predetermined manner.

Previous water kite or paravane constructions, such as shown in US. Pat. Nos. 2,960,960 and 3,199,484, are expensive and complicated and such known devices are not consistent in their orientation to the horizontal and vertical while being towed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the basic purpose of the invention to produce a towed underwater apparatus which develops a high downward force or negative lift relative to its size and weight, and which is capable of operating with superior stability and of seeking and maintaining a prescribed orientation. I

Additionally, a purpose of the invention is to provide a towed underwater apparatus which is stable in all respects over a wide speed range, and will achieve its proper operating position regardless of its initial orientation to the vessel or water. The apparatus has in some configurations a high lift to drag ratio so that the apparatus positions itself closely behind and below the point of attachment of the upper end of the towing cable.

In the practice of the invention the apparatus includes planar vane supports which are adapted to be oriented in a vertical manner during operation, and these supports function to produce yaw stability and orientation as well as support the vanes which produce the negative lift of the kite apparatus. The vanes are preferably two in number as to form a bi-plane configuration, one vane being located above the other, and may be staggered relative to the direction of movement. The vanes, which include a convex undersurface to produce a negative hydrodynamic effect, are formed of a plurality of slats having spaces therebetween thereby producing a large negative lift and preventing separation of flow from occurring at the vane suction side due to effects produced by the vane and the relative motion between the apparatus and the water.

In the preferred construction the support end plates are spaced in parallel relationship, and maintained in this relationship by the vane slats interposed therebetween. A bridle plate which is parallel to the end plates is mounted upon the vane slats at the central region thereof, and the towing cable is attached thereto. The instrument or sporting equipment being associated with the apparatus is usually attached to the bridle plate, or may be attached to the bridle adjacent the water kite apparatus. In one embodiment of the invention a hinged instrument support is associated with the end plates for mounting an instrument to the apparatus.

It is a basic purpose of the invention to provide a simple, yet effective, towed underwater apparatus capable of achieving and maintaining a controlled depth and stability which may be manufactured inexpensively, and does not require skilled personnel to operate.

7 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The aforementioned objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a small scale view of towed underwater apparatus constructed in accord with the invention as being towed by surface craft,

FIG. 2 is an elevational end view of a towed underwater apparatus constructed in accord with the invention,

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 as taken from the left thereof,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of towed water apparatus constructed in accord with the invention illustrating a hinged instrument support,

FIG. 5 is an elevational end view of another water kite apparatus in accord with the invention similar to that illustrated in FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is an elevational front view of the apparatus of FIG. 5 as taken from the right thereof,

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of towed underwater apparatus illustrating another embodiment which may be used for fishing purposes, alternate means for attaching a fishing line thereto being illustrated, and

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 7 as taken from the left thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates a typical relationship of towed underwater apparatus constructed in accord with the invention with its towing watercraft. The towing watercraft or boat 10 has depending therefrom the towing cable or line 12, the length of which determines the depth at which the kite apparatus operates. The water kite apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 includes a pair of planar, spaced vane support plates 14 having a leading edge 16 which is disposed toward the direction of towing. A pair of vanes 18 and 20 are interposed between the end plates 14 and maintain the spacing therebetween. Preferably, the end plates are maintained in a parallel relationship by the vanes.

The vanes 18 and 20 are of an inverted hydrodynamic configuration including a convex undersurfaceZZ wherein a negative lift occurs upon water moving over the vanes from the left to the right, FIG. 2. The are disposed at an angle appropriate for optimum performance and are staggered such that vane 18 is behind"vane 20, and a bridle plate 24 is attached to the central region of the upper vane 18 and extends upwardly and to the left as will be apparent from FIG. 2. The vane angle of 45 to the horizontal has been found to be satisfactory in one embodiment of the invention. A tubular and streamlined instrument casing 26 is mounted on the bridle plate 24, and a hole 28 serves as an attachment for the towing cable. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3 the vanes 18 and 20 are of a single piece construction, and this embodiment of the invention illustrates only one form of the inventive concept. As the apparatus is towed through the water by cable 12 and boat the vanes will pull the apparatus down and the spaced and staggered relationship of the vanes produces a stable movement.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate another form of the towed water apparatus using the same basic inventive concepts. The apparatus includes vane support plates 30 each having an upper and lower portion 32 and 34, respectively, shaped to most effectively accommodate the vane slats interposed therebetween. The plates 30 each include leading edges 36 disposed in the direction of towing.

The vanes, generally indicated at 38 and 40, are vertically spaced relative to each other and are angularly inclined to the horizontal and vertical, such as approximately 45, the vane 40 being slightly ahead of the vane 38. Each vane is formed by a plurality of foil or curved plate slats 42 which are connected at their ends to an end plate 30. The configuration of the slats will be appreciated from FIGS. 4 through 6, and it will be noted that the orientation of adjacent slats is such that the underside or convex surface of the slats together define the undersurface of the vane defined thereby.

Additionally, the slats are spaced relative to each other wherein spacings 44 exist to permit water flow therethrough.

By constructing the vanes of a plurality of slats having spacing therebetween which permits the flow of water therethrough, separation of the flow on the suction side of the vanes is reduced, or eliminated, and superior waterflow characteristics about the vane are created while the vane configuration produces the desired negative lift to pull the water kite apparatus downwardly to a depth determined by its towing cable.

An intermediate bridle plate 46 is mounted upon the central region of the slats 42 intermediate the end plates 30, and this plate is attached to the central region of the slats to strengthen the vanes and permit the plate to function as the attachment means for the towing bridle 48. A hole 50 defined in the plate 46 serves as means of attachment for the towing bridle.

In FIG. 4 an instrument carrier generally designated at 52 is pivotally mounted to the upper regions of the end plates 30 by pivots 54. The carrier 52 includes a body 56 having fixed rudder elements 58 which, in combination with the horizontally disposed portion 60 stabilize the carrier. The instrument package is in the form of a cylindrical tube 62 which may include a stabilizing fin at its rear portion.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a light duty water kite apparatus is accord with the invention which may be used for sports purposes, for instance for towing a fishing line and hook at a desired depth.

The embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 include end plates 64 having a leading edge 66. The configuration of the end plates is such as to permit a lower vane 68, and an upper vane to be interposed therebetween. The vanes are defined by a plurality of spaced slats 72 which permit waterflow therethrough, and a bridle attachment plate 74 is afi'ixed to the central region of the upper slats 72 having a hole to which the towing bridle cable 76 may be atfixed.

In FIG. 7 two types of supports for a fishing line are illustrated. The end plates 64 may include an attachment ring to which a releasable clip 78, such as of the clothesline type, may be utilized to releasably hold the fishing line 80. Alternately, a leader 82 may be connected to the towing line cable 76 to which the releasable clip 84 is afi'ixed for holding the line 86 and hook as illustrated.

1 By the use of two vanes disposed at a suitable angle to the horizontal and vertical, and spaced one above the other, a biplane effect is produced which is very effective in creating the necessary negative lift desired to maintain the towed apparatus at the desired depth and only slightly behind the towing vessel. Thus, the high degree of downward pull achievedby the invention minimizes the amount of towing cable required to achieve the desired depth. For this reason, the invention could be used with fishing nets and other apparatus which are pulled through the water at considerable depths.

The vanes are spaced apart sufficiently to avoid interference of downwash from each other, and the aspect ratio of the vanes is, preferably, approximately two. Preferably, the center of gravity is located closer to the lower vane and toward the leading edges of the end plates. The number of slats defining a vane may vary, as will be apparent from a comparison of the embodiments of FIG. 5 and FIG. 7.

The material from which the end plates, bridle plate and vane slats are formed may be any material sufficient for the purpose which has the desired strength and may be conveniently shaped as desired. The density of the material of which the apparatus is formed should be greater than that of water whereby the apparatus will not float.

The staggered relationship of the vanes provides, in addition to a high negative lift, a high degree of stability with respect to a horizontal axis. The planar configuration of the end plates and the towing bridle plate insure stability about a vertical axis providing yaw stability and will serve to turn the kit apparatus in the direction of movement regardless of the initial orientation. The attachment of the bridle plate to the vane strengthens the vane slats, in addition to forming a central location to which a towing bridle may be attached.

It is appreciated that various modifications to the inventive concept may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. Towed underwater apparatus characterized by its stability and ability to establish a predetermined orientation to the vertical and the towing vehicle comprising, in combination, a vertically disposed vane support,

at least a pair of vanes mounted upon said vane support, one of said vanes being located on said support vertically higher than the other, said vanes each including an undersurface of convex configuration, antiwater flow separation means incorporated into each of said vanes to reduce water flow separation adjacent said vanes, and towing bridle attachment means defined on said apparatus.

2. Towed underwater apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said vane support is of a planar configuration parallel to and having a leading edge disposed in the direction of towing wherein said support provides yaw stability and orients the apparatus into the direction of towing.

3. Towed underwater apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said vane support comprises a pair of spaced, planar plates, said vanes extending between said plates.

4. Towed underwater apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said antbwater flow separation means for each of said vanes comprises a plurality of slats defining a vane, said slats defining a common vane being spaced from the adjacent slats to permit fluid flow therethrough to reduce water flow separation.

5. Towed underwater apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said slats each include an undersurface, the undersurfaces of the slats constituting a vane defining said vane undersurface.

6. Towed underwater apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said slats are of a hydro foil transverse cross section.

7. Towed underwater apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said towing bridle attachment means comprises a planar plate mounted upon said vanes intermediate said vane support plates.

8. Towed underwater apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the aspect ratio of said vanes is approximately two.

9. Towed underwater apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said vanes are disposed at an angle to the horizontal to insure correct flow conditions and are staggered relative to each other with respect to the direction of towing.

10. Towed underwater apparatus as in claim 9 wherein the lowermost vane is disposed ahead of the outer vanes upon said support with respect to the direction of towing.

11. In towed underwater apparatus as in claim 1, a rudder member mounted upon said vane support, said rudder member including vertically oriented rudder surfaces.

12. In towed underwater apparatus as in claim 3, a rudder member mounted upon said spaced, planar plates and extending rearwardly therefrom with respect to the direction of towing, said rudder member including vertically oriented rudder surfaces. 

1. Towed underwater apparatus characterized by its stability and ability to establish a predetermined orientation to the vertical and the towing vehicle comprising, in combination, a vertically disposed vane support, at least a pair of vanes mounted upon said vane support, one of said vanes being located on said support vertically higher than the other, said vanes each including an undersurface of convex configuration, anti-water flow separation means incorporated into each of said vanes to reduce water flow separation adjacent said vanes, and towing bridle attachment means defined on said apparatus.
 2. Towed underwater apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said vane support is of a planar configuration parallel to and having a leading edge disposed in the direction of towing wherein said support provides yaw stability and orients the apparatus into the direction of towing.
 3. Towed underwater apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said vane support comprises a pair of spaced, planar plates, said vanes extending between said plates.
 4. Towed underwater apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said anti-water flow separation means for each of said vanes comprises a plurality of slats defining a vane, said slats defining a common vane being spaced from the adjacent slats to permit fluid flow therethrough to reduce water flow separation.
 5. Towed underwater apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said slats each include an undersurface, the undersurfaces of the slats constituting a vane defining said vane undersurface.
 6. Towed underwater apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said slats are of a hydro foil transverse cross section.
 7. Towed underwater apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said towing bridle attachment means comprises a planar plate mounted upon said vanes intermediate said vane support plates.
 8. Towed underwater apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the aspect ratio of said vanes is approximately two.
 9. Towed underwater apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said vanes are disposed at an angle to the horizontal to insure correct flow conditions and are staggered relative to each other with respect to the direction of towing.
 10. Towed underwater apparatus as in claim 9 wherein the lowermost vane is disposed ahead of the outer vanes upon said support with respect to the direction of towing.
 11. In towed underwater apparatus as in claim 1, a rudder member mounted upon said vane support, said rudder member including vertically oriented rudder surfaces.
 12. In towed underwater apparatus as in claim 3, a rudder member mounted upon said spaced, planar plates and extending rearwardly therefrom with respect to the direction of towing, said rudder member including vertically oriented rudder surfaces. 